While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the score that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny the midfielder, his job done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were still positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
